.26 GROWTH OF THE 'ORIGIN.' [1844. 



then search how far the species of these genera are apt to 

 range wide in their several countries ; but you might occa- 

 sionally, in the course of your pursuits, just bear this in mind, 

 though perhaps the point may long since have occurred to 

 you or other Botanists. Geology is bringing to light interest- 

 ing facts, concerning the ranges of shells ; I think it is pretty 

 well established, that according as the geographical range of 

 a species is wide, so is its persistence and duration in time. 

 I hope you will try to grudge as little as you can the trouble 

 of my letters, and pray believe me very truly yours, 



C. DARWIN. 



P.S. I should feel extremely obliged for your kind offer of 

 the sketch of Humboldt ; I venerate him, and after having had 

 the pleasure of conversing with him in London, I shall still 

 more like to have any portrait of him. 



[What follows is quoted from Sir J. D. Hooker's notes. 



" The next act in the drama of our lives opens with personal 

 intercourse. This began with an invitation to breakfast with 

 him at his brother's (Erasmus Darwin's) house in Park Street ; 

 which was shortly afterwards followed by an invitation to 

 Down to meet a few brother Naturalists. In the short 

 intervals of good health that followed the long illnesses which 

 oftentimes rendered life a burthen to him, between 1844 and 

 1847, I na d many such invitations, and delightful they were. 

 A more hospitable and more attractive home under every 

 point of view could not be imagined of Society there were 

 most often Dr. Falconer, Edward Forbes, Professor Bell, and 

 Mr. Waterhouse there were long walks, romps with the 

 children on hands and knees, music that haunts me still 

 Darwin's own hearty manner, hollow laugh, and thorough 

 enjoyment of home life with friends ; strolls with him all 

 together, and interviews with us one by one in his study, to 

 discuss questions in any branch of biological or physical 

 knowledge that we had followed ; and which I at any rate 



